Consider the following statements: 1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar. 2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi. Which of

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 2 only
3. C. Both 1 and 2
4. D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: D

Explanation

Nimbarka, a Telugu Brahmin, is believed to have been a younger contemporary of Ramanuja (11th Century). He spent most of his time in Vrindavan near Mathura in North India. He believed in total devotion to Krishna and Rama. The Mughal emperor Akbar lived from 1542-1605. Hence statement 1 is not correct. Naqshbandi Sufi Saint Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi was in Haryana in the peiod of 1624.Whereas Kabir Das, is a 15th century mystical poet and great Bhakti Saint of India. He is the most important Nirguna Bhakti saint. The nirguna bhaktas were devotees of a formless God even while calling him variously as Rama, Govinda, Hari or Raghunatha. Hence statement 2 is not correct.